Oct 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Graduate Certificate in Medical Family Therapy


(Starts Summer 2025)

Plan Description


The Medical Family Therapy Certificate, a 15 credit course of study, prepares candidates to work with clients who are bearing health issues through the biopsychosocial-spiritual model. Candidates will gain theoretical understanding of medical and mental health issues. MedFTs have specialized knowledge in collaborating with various members of a medical team, understand the different roles of the care team, possess skills to communicate effectively with the team, and most importantly is an advocate for the patient in numerous capacities.

Plan Admission Requirements


Application Deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

(a) Graduate College Admission Requirements

  1. Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee. 
  2. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
    1. Post-Master’s tracks and Advanced Certificates require a regionally accredited Master’s degree.
  3. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits). 
  4. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
    1. Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

(b) Department Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Medical Family Therapy must be currently enrolled in a Couple and Family Therapy Master’s level or program, a post-graduate in an internship program, or a licensed therapist. 

To apply, students are asked to include:

  1. A resume.
  2. A statement of intent explaining the reason for applying.
  3. Two letters of recommendation.
  4. Transcripts for all completed degrees.
  5. GMAT and/or GRE scores (optional).
  6. Proof of status will be required for admissions.

Students are accepted into a certificate program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements (Exclusively Fully Online*)


Total Credits Required: 15

Required Courses - Credits: 15


Complete the following courses:

CFT 726 - Crucial Issues in Medical Family Therapy  - 3

CFT 727 - Clinical Methods in Medical Family Therapy - 3

CFT 728 - Therapy, Culture, and Spirituality with Dying and Grieving Persons - 3

CFT 729 - Medical Family Therapy and Trauma - 3

CFT 730 -Medical Family Therapy and Substance Abuse - 3

Certificate Requirements


  • This program is available Fully Online (Please see the Fully Online Modality Tracks in Programs section of this Catalog for more information). *Exclusively Fully Online Programs: A fully online student is one who has committed to pursue their entire degree, certificate, or microcredential exclusively through online education. Modality change process: Programs may be offered in more than one modality (instructional mode). If programs offer a fully online option, students may opt for a fully online offering at the time of admission. They will be tagged as a fully online student. Once admitted, students can onlychange their program modality by sending an email to their respective Graduate College Retention, Progression, and Completion (RPC) Coordinator (grad.rpc@unlv.edu). 
  • Completion of a minimum of 15 credits.
  • A grade point average of at least 3.00 for course work required for the certificate.
  • No grade lower than B- is acceptable.